Big batch of nope

Wow

I agree with ya @Dreamer however I don't think this was a real $500 wedding. I think it would be different if she rented out a gazebo at the park or the like. This was more of a I got lucky that I had connections kind of wedding.

I...just...wow. So much tacky at one time. My little heart can't take it!

By this logic anyone who's parents paid for their wedding can brag about how they managed to pull off a free wedding... It's not "thrifty" if somebody gives it to you...

Wow. I actually think it's beautiful that they have family that loves and cares for them enough to help out. Recently I went to a wedding like this for a family friend who had been engaged for FIVE years but her child was sick so they never had the time or money to put on a wedding and instead of them just going to the courthouse both families pulled the resources they had to put on the most beautiful wedding possible. And honestly it was magical.

Oh come on now. That isn't hosting at all. It's taking advantage of your friends and family. I can't even believe that anyone here is rushing to her defense.

Of course someone who hoards pennies would be impressed with that wedding scenario.

If you have 500 for a wedding, you can host 5 people. The end. This is gross.

Even if I wanted to do a potluck wedding I wouldn't ask guest to bring dishes instead of gifts smh everybody can't cook LOL

Not the wedding I would want or will have, but sounds like a lot of weddings in small, rural towns. By rural I mean many miles from the closest city. No DJ, caterer, florist, bakery for miles. People are used to and want to pitch in on celebrations. They are self-reliant to a large extent. Many would be hurt if they weren't allowed to help. Weddings are potluck or self catered because there are no other options that are realistic. You might find a local guy who grills/smokes meat, but everything else is cooked/provided by volunteers and family. Again, people would be upset if they weren't allowed to help. Flowers are donated from local gardens or ordered online and arranged by local women. Music for dancing comes from an iPod. Beer comes from a keg. Few, if any, drink wine. People arrive in pickups/SUVs with coolers in the back filled with alcohol. These are not weddings that happen in a typical wedding hall. Maybe the local church hall or VFW. Not fancy, but can be a lot of fun.

There's a difference between finding ways to be crafty and save money and just flat out taking advantage of your guests. You don't ask your guests to bring food instead of a gift. You want to have a wedding? Host your guest properly. And having one of your guest DJ for you instead of enjoying themselves and relaxing is just rude. Even if they offer you say no.

I hope they don't write an article

I always have this question when I read all the comments about people thinking it is awful to "make" your family work on your wedding day...do any of these people have family members who are overjoyed to do things to help? I do...and I do not think it is taking advantage if they genuinely offer up specific help. What is the difference between them doing the actual work or working to make money to help with the wedding? My FMIL is insistent on helping pay for the reception even though I was determined to cover the entire cost between FH and I. secretly I still keep paying for things she has offered to pay for...but nonetheless she IS paying for quite a bit and helping with the work.

Now asking for the help or the whole potluck thing...yeah that makes me cringe a little.

Eta: So I asked my hairdresser (also a friend) how much she would charge for my hair the day of my wedding...she said "oh I'll do it for you for free...as your wedding gift." Is that taking advantage of her on my wedding day?

I've been to a potluck wedding...it was interesting to say the least.

Wow folks.

This sounds similar to my parents wedding. They wed at 21, days after my father graduated college. My father's aunt made my mother's wedding dress, immediate family made cake and cookies that they shared in the church basement. There was no dancing or booze.. Poinsettias were donated (technically to the church for Christmas the next day) by someone else. A professional singer performed at their ceremony because he so loved a painting my dad did of him. Granted they were high school sweethearts and these folks all probably volunteered their talents...

Also I went to a potluck wedding once. Actually it might have been bring a dish or drink to share. It was dictated by the circumstances. They had been engaged for over a year. He was military, being re stationed to Germany. She was Thai, unable to join him without marrying and her Thai devorce was delayed years due to a need to sell joint property in Thailand. (The last part made me pause but they are still going strong 8 years later.) When her divorce finally came through a month before he moved they gave two weeks notice for an uber casual beachside ceremony and party. They didn't register and specifically said "the gift is your presence." They provided so much food (all given voluntarily, I think, by their closest friends) the pot luck part was unnecessary but I didn't once look down on them for it.

Not that the original message is that much to brag about. Any more than bragging that Daddy gave you $20,000 to host your wedding. But really, folks, if you'd rather wait ten years to get married so you can host a rocking party...maybe you need to rethink what marriage means as much as this penny pincher needs to assess whether her friends and family actually wanted to help her have a $500 wedding.

@drmariner I definitely see where you're coming from. It's easy to get wrapped up in the material aspect of the wedding. But it all boils down to personal choice/preference. Granted some of these comments (including mine) are kind of harsh, but I find a lot of it in poor taste. If I couldn't afford it, I'd rather go to the courthouse than cut that many corners.

ETA: @Elphaba, doge memes never fails to make me laugh! Love it

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Me side eyeing things

I went to a potluck wedding once. Bride & groom got married on a pool deck in the groom's mom's backyard. Nobody batted an eyelash. It was basically a family bbq that happened to have people get married during it. Would I ever do it? Not in a zillion years. But I had a lot of fun swimming afterward and eating potato salad. Some people were in the pool during the ceremony. Totally depends on the type of guest list you have.

I've never heard of a potluck wedding. I don't think I'd go

Potato salad and bathing suits at a wedding. I've heard everything

IN the pool during the ceremony?!